Intravenous catheter insertion and blood sample devices and method of use

Abstract

A catheter insertion device includes a handle, a needle, a guide wire, and a catheter. The handle may have a proximal region and a distal region. The distal region may include a slot between a top extension and a bottom extension, which extends through a distal end. The needle may have a proximal end positioned in the proximal region and a distal end extending from the distal region. The guide wire may have a proximal end positioned in the proximal region of the handle and a distal end positioned in a lumen of the needle. The catheter may be positioned coaxially over the needle with a proximal end connected to a catheter hub. The catheter hub may be slidably disposed in the slot to enable movement from a first position in the distal region to a second position distal of the distal region.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A catheter insertion device, comprising:
 a handle having a proximal region and a distal region, the distal region including a slot between a top extension and a bottom extension, the slot extending through a distal end of the distal region; 
 a needle having a proximal end positioned in the proximal region of the handle and a distal end extending from the distal region of the handle; 
 a guide wire having a proximal end positioned in the proximal region of the handle and a distal end positioned in a lumen of the needle; and 
 a catheter positioned coaxially over the needle, the catheter having a proximal end connected to a catheter hub, the catheter hub slidably disposed in the slot to enable movement from a first position in the distal region of the handle to a second position distal of the distal region. 
 
     
     
       2. The catheter insertion device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a guide wire advancement member coupled to the proximal end of the guidewire, wherein movement of the guide wire advancement member moves the guide wire relative to the needle. 
     
     
       3. The catheter insertion device according to  claim 2 , wherein the guide wire advancement member includes a guide wire actuator connected to a guide wire carrier, the guide wire actuator accessible outside of the handle, the guide wire carrier coupled to the guide wire in the proximal region of the handle. 
     
     
       4. The catheter insertion device according to  claim 3 , wherein movement of the guide wire actuator relative to the handle moves the guide wire relative to the needle. 
     
     
       5. The catheter insertion device according to  claim 1 , wherein the distal end of the guide wire comprises a coiled tip. 
     
     
       6. The catheter insertion device according to  claim 1 , wherein the catheter has a distal end extending from the distal region of the handle in the first position. 
     
     
       7. The catheter insertion device according to  claim 1 , wherein the catheter hub is coupled to a catheter actuator, and wherein movement of the catheter actuator relative to the handle transitions the catheter hub from the first position to the second position. 
     
     
       8. The catheter insertion device according to  claim 1 , wherein the catheter comprises a seal. 
     
     
       9. The catheter insertion device according to  claim 1 , wherein the proximal region of the handle includes an enclosed interior space. 
     
     
       10. The catheter insertion device according to  claim 1 , wherein the proximal region of the handle includes a seal, the needle extending through the seal in the first position, the seal closing upon movement of the distal end of the needle into the proximal region of the handle proximal of the seal. 
     
     
       11. The catheter insertion device according to  claim 10 , wherein the seal includes a plurality of flaps. 
     
     
       12. The catheter insertion device according to  claim 10 , wherein the seal is attached to a base designed to mount the seal in the proximal region of the handle. 
     
     
       13. The catheter insertion device according to  claim 1 , wherein the proximal end of the needle is designed to move relative to the handle. 
     
     
       14. The catheter insertion device according to  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a needle carrier connected to the proximal end of the needle; 
 a biasing element surrounding the needle carrier; and 
 an actuating member holding the biasing element in a compressed configuration. 
 
     
     
       15. The catheter insertion device according to  claim 14 , wherein actuation of the actuating member enables the biasing element to expand to an expanded configuration, resulting in proximal movement of the needle carrier in the proximal region of the handle. 
     
     
       16. The catheter insertion device according to  claim 15 , wherein the proximal movement of the needle carrier results in proximal movement of the guide wire relative to the handle. 
     
     
       17. The catheter insertion device according to  claim 1 , wherein the catheter hub comprises a pair of laterally extending wings. 
     
     
       18. The catheter insertion device according to  claim 17 , wherein opposing ends of the pair of laterally extending wings extend laterally out of the slot.